House Paint Directory
What is house paint and what does it do Perhaps you've built a house, or have bought a new one or maybe you just want to renovate. But for whatever reason you need to paint your house we can help you gain a better understanding of the house-painting process so you can do a top-notch job.
Types of House Paint
First things first. House paint comes in two forms - as exterior paint and as interior house paint. There are a greater number of surfaces that exterior house paint needs to cover such as clapboard and aluminum siding, wood shingles, tar shingles, cedar shakes, brick, concrete block, stucco, and old house paint. So there have been numerous house paints created especially for each type of surface.
Exterior house paint has a greater concentration of resin as it needs to be more moisture resistant and durable. It also has more binders as it needs to be more flexible and adjust to the movement of the house. Interior house paint has not been formulated to be as tough as it is not exposed to the elements like outdoor house paint.
Both exterior and interior paints can come with differing lusters, these being flat, semi-gloss or gloss, depending on the effect you wish to create.
Interior Paint |
Exterior Paint |
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| Lighting shows differently depending on the finish of your chosen interior paint. Matte and flat enamel tend to absorb light rather than reflect it as the glossy finishes do. Matte interior paint are good choices if you want to hide small surface imperfections and for ceilings and rooms that aren't used as much because they don't wash as well as other paint finishes. | You can choose between alkyd and latex when you are deciding upon which exterior paint is best to use. Latex paints are easy to apply, dry quickly, keep out moisture because they "breathe" and easy to clean up after. You can choose between alkyd and latex. The environment around you will give you clues to what is the best exterior paint colours to use. |
How To Paint Your House
Before you begin house painting you need to determine the best method to use according to your walls' surface. Whether your walls are made from wood, masonite, vinyl, brick, concrete or are stucco, there is a method to match such as brushing, rolling or using an airless paint sprayer to ensure your walls have the best possible cover. Especially for interiors, you may want to paint your walls in such a way to create an effect. If you do, there are a number of methods to produce different effects such as sponging or a using a special-effects brush or a deco roller made to produce different effects including the:
- Flock sponge effect
- Honeycomb effect
- Marble effect
- Spatula effect
- Rough grain effect
Deciding on House Paint Colours
When you are deciding on colours for your house, remember the environment around you can provide you with hints as to the best colours to suit your home. Feel free to borrow from nature such as the colour of tree leaves in your area. You can also use your neighbours' abodes for inspiration. If there are certain architectural elements you wish to emphasise then using bright and bold house paint colours are great. Also remember to check your roof to make sure the colours you pick complement your house.